Oklahoma State Football: Do Pokes consistently develop the best receivers?
Another 10-win season is in the books for Oklahoma State football, largely thanks to the pure amount of talent in the receiving corps.
Oklahoma State football sent another Biletnikoff Award winning wide receiver to the NFL in 2018. All-American senior wide receiver James Washington solidified himself as a projected first round pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, with another huge season in Stillwater.
The Pokes originally signed Washington as a three-star prospect back in 2014, part of the recruiting class with superstar quarterback Mason Rudolph. He developed in the nation’s best deep threat, and then the best overall receiver by the time the 2017 season was here.
During his four-year playing career with the Pokes, Washington caught more than 220 passes for 4,472 yards and 39 touchdowns. He set career marks in every major stat category for wide receivers in 2017, and also racked up his first even rushing touchdown.
However, it’s not just Washington that helped establish a model of success at Oklahoma State. Before Washington, there was other eventual first round NFL Draft picks Justin Blackmon and current Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant. Blackmon and Washington both combined for three Biletnikoff Awards total in the past decade. And, Bryant was very close.
There’s a ton of notable receivers and tight ends that came out of Oklahoma State in the past two decades. Here’s just a few significant ones to name: Rashaun Woods, Josh Stewart, and Brandon Pettigrew. If not for Stewart’s career getting cut short with the Pokes, leaving after an injury riddled 2013 campaign, he could have been a solid contributor in the NFL also.
Oklahoma State’s receiving corps in 2017 was the best in the nation. It was not just Washington that stood out in the passing game. Sixth year senior and projected 2018 NFL Draft pick Marcell Ateman burst onto the scene as a true red zone threat for Rudolph to find.
Moreover, the Pokes’ receiving corps still has a very bright future with established starters such as Jalen McCleskey and Dillon Stoner at the helm. They also have an incoming freshman in four-star prospect C.J. Moore that can make an instant impact. The Wallace twins (Tracin and Tylan) are two skill position players to watch in the next few years.
Losing Washington is going to hurt the potency of the Oklahoma State offense, there’s no doubt about it. But, if Pokes head coach Mike Gundy has proved anything during his tenure in Stillwater, it’s that he knows how to develop underrated receivers coming out of high school. That trend should only continue.
Next: Who is Oklahoma State's quarterback solution?
McCleskey and Stoner are just another two receivers that are in line to continue the model of success at this position with the Oklahoma State football program. Both receivers are primed for their first 1,000-yard seasons in their college careers.